Ernest p



(No Model.) E. P. WARNER. n

BLBGTRIG SWITGH.

Patnted'Jan. 16, 1894.

STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ERNEST P. WARNER, oE CHICAC'Q'ILLINCIS, A'SSICNORTC rPHE WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, oE SAME PLACE.

ELECTRIC SWITCH.

.SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 512,774, dated January 16, 1894.

Applicationiled December 1,1891. Serial No. 413,640. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, ERNEST P. WARNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement in Electric Switches, (Case No. 46,) of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming apart of this specification.

My invention relates to switches for circuits designed to convey heavy electrical currents.

Its object is to provide a compact, cheap, and easily operated switching or cut off device, having few and sim ple parts.

My invention consists of two pairs of contact fingers or slit contact plates, one pair being connected .to each of the terminals to be connected, and a switching block adapted to slide between the two members of one pair of plates, of such length as to bridge the space separating the opposed ends of the pairs of plates and make contact with the second pair of plates.

My invention is especially adapted to use in connection with fuses in the mains of electric lighting and power systems. By its employment the main may be opened or severed at another point than at the fuse when itis desired to replace the latter, and it may then be replacedwith greater facility and safety.

The peculiar adaptability of my invention in this case is its great simplicity and com-- pactness.

My invention is illustrated in the accom- \pany drawings.

Figure l is a side elevation of my improved cut olf in connection with a fuse. Fig. 2 is a plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a perspectiveV let into saw cuts or slots in the manner described With respect to the plates of block b.

The switch block g is adapted to slide between the Contact plates d d. This switch block g is of such length that the end thereof, which is in contact with the plates del' will not break contact therewith when the other end has been inserted a suitable distance between the plates ff. The plates d d are of sufficient length to permit the block to be drawn away out of Contact with plates ff. The plates dd,ff may be constructed of phosphor-bronze of spring temper,

aud are made to bear upon the corresponding surfaces of the block g with such pressure as is necessary to insure good Contact between said block and the plates. The well known expedient of slitting the contact plates, as shown, may be adopted to this end.

The block g is provided withl a handle k whereby it, may be more readily removed. The plate (l is provided with a, sloto through which the handle l.; projects and by whichit is guided. f

A projection p upon the switch block g limits the motion of said block between the plates f f by coming against the end of the plate f.

The pieces b and e are provided with suitable binding posts,-one, that of b, being adapted to receivethe end of a main Z, and the other e adapted to clamp one end of a fusible strip m. The other end of the fuse is secured to the binding post n, adapted to receive main Z."

The switch is shown in its closed position in the drawings. When itis desired to open the switch, the block g is pushed back between the plates d d', out of engagement with plates f f I do not limit myinvention, however, to use in connection with fusible plugs. Obviously, it is equally useful in any casein which a compact and simple switching device is desired.

Prior to my invention hand switches orcut outs had been used in arc or incandescent lighting circuits to put the lines or loops in the building into or `ont of circuit with the external line or street circuit leading to the central station.'

As to the priorstate of the art referenceis IOS made to Letters Patent N o. 348,456, granted Fairchild and OConnor August 31, 1886; No; 383,933, granted James J. Wood June 15, 1888; and No. 385,815, granted Junius E. Mayo July 10, 1888.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The combination, with the blocks, each provided with a pair of contact plates, said contact plates being let into saw cuts or slots and securely fastened to the blocks on which they are respectively mounted, of a switch block adapted to slide between one pair ofv` said plates and adapted toenter between the: members of the other pair when moved t0- ward the same, and a stop provided on said switchlblock for limiting the movement theregdsubstantially as and for the purpose speci- 2; 'Il he combination, with two pairs of contactlplates, the-correspondingzmembers ofthe diIferent-fpairs being placed in the same line, andthe members of theditterent pairs being placed in parallel planes,=one`above the other, theupper member of one of the pairs being slotted,;and aslidingswitch block adapted to be moved backV andl forth in said slot; whereby the switch block is adapted to make c011- tact with the members ofthe pairs of contact plates, substantially as specified.

3. The combination, with the pairs of con- 4 tact plates d d', ff', of a switch block sliding between the members of the pair dd and adapted tomakev contacts with the members -of the pair ff', said sliding block being provided with a handle adapted to travel in the guiding slot of the contact plate d, substantially as described.

1 4. The combination, with two pairs of contact plates, of a sliding switch block, said islidin'g` switch block being adapted to be guided bya slot provided in the upper memberof one of the pairs to form connection between the two pairs'of contact platemand a stop p provided, ont` said' slidingl switch for limiting the movement of saidy slidingswitolr 

